VARIETIES OF THE NECTARINE 257 



demand call for change in this proportion, for there is a slight 

 advantage in the market value of the peach even in its great pre- 

 ponderance of supply. During the last decade many nectaries 

 have been rooted out to be replaced bv peach trees, or have been 

 grafted over into peaches. There are, however, some growers who 

 are confident that the nectarine will in the future rank much higher 

 in the California fruit product. It would please growers and fruit 

 driers and canners to popularize the nectarine, for its smooth skin 

 makes it as easy to handle as an apricot, and the beauty of the 

 product, which certainly exceeds that of the peach and is rather 

 more easily attained, is very gratifying to the producer. There 

 have recently been discerned some indications that these things 

 may be realized, and plantings have increased. 



VARIETIES OF THE NECTARINE 



Varieties of the nectarine, as of the peach, show different local 

 adaptations, and are valued by growers accordingly. The varieties 

 grown are, however, comparatively few. At the 1920 conferences 

 of growers, canners and nurserymen, the Gower nectarine was ap- 

 proved for shipping and the Stanwick for drying and Advance, 

 Boston, Hardwick, Victoria and Napier were placed in the discard. 

 Humboldt and New White were retained for desirability in home 

 orchards. The following have been found most satisfactory in 

 California : 



Grower. Introduced by Fancher Creek Nursery and named for E. 

 Grower, of Selma. Earliest of all nectarines. Ripens with Early Crawford 

 peach; fruit very firm; freestone; ships like a clingstone peach; very early; 

 delicious flavor; tree strong grower, bears heavily. 



Advance^ Large, round, green, marked with red and brown; flesh 

 greenish white; /rich and well flavored. The earliest to ripen. 



Lord Napier (English). Large, pale, cream color with dark red cheek; 

 flesh white, melting, tender and juicy, separating freely from stone; leaf 

 glands reniform and flowers large. Especially commended as a heavy and 

 regular bearer; pronounced best in flavor at Pomona Experiment Station. 



Downton v (English). Leaves with reniform glands; flowers small; fruit 

 large, roundish oval; skin pale green, with deep violet red cheek; flesh 

 pale green, slightly red at the stone, which is free, melting rich, and very 

 good. / 



Early Newington (English). Leaves serrated without glands, flowers 

 large; fruit large, roundish ovate, a little enlarged on one side, and ter- 

 minating with an acute swollen point; skin pale green, but nearly covered 

 with bright red and coated with thin bloom; flesh greenish white, but deep 

 red at stone, which adheres closely, juicy, sugary, rich, and excellent. 



Hardwicke (English). Leaves with globose glands; fruit very large; 

 roundish, inclining to oval; skin pale green, with deep violet red cheek; 

 flesh pale green, slightly marked with red at the stone, melting, rich, and 

 highly flavored; freestone; a favorite in Southern California. 



Boston* Raised from a peach stone by T. Lewis, of Boston; tree 

 hardy and productive; leaves with globose glands; flowers small; fruit 

 large and handsome, roundish oval, bright yellow, with deep red cheek; 

 flesh yellow to the stone (which is small and pointed), sweet, though not 

 rich, with pleasant and peculiar flavor; freestone; a general favorite in 

 California. 



